In the wake of massive police operations after the terror attack in London, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff was very appreciative of the way local police risk own lives to serve the community.
Speaking at the Counties Manukau Annual Pay Parade and Awards Ceremony in Howick on Friday morning, he said his admiration goes to the people who serve the international as well as the local communities and work hard to keep them safe.
“Thank you for your integrity and professionalism,” he said after the parade of police officers, detectives and police employees, police dogs, horses and motorbikes that started at Wellington Street, wound its way through Picton Street and ended at Howick RSA.
“Manukau is the fastest growing community with so much diversity. We have around 100,000 students alone. We also have areas of deprivation and the disadvantaged,” said Mr Goff.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush complimented the men in uniform “for looking sharp and being so professional.”
He said: “The reason we exist is to keep you safe. The mantra being in order to keep others safe we must keep ourselves safe.”
He admitted saying that he was deeply concerned about terror events the world over, “I worry about your safety. We do it (risk our lives) so no one else has to.”
The event attended by family and friends of the police as well as the executive committee of the RSA, members of the Howick Local Board and public as well as local MP Jami-Lee Ross ended with an awards ceremony acknowledging acts of bravery and citations for long service.
